U.S. patent application number 11/900041 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-26 for foot alignment socks.
Invention is credited to Eva Nemcik.
Application Number | 20100212068 11/900041 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40849357 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100212068 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Nemcik; Eva |
August 26, 2010 |
FOOT ALIGNMENT SOCKS
Abstract
Foot Alignment Socks are a uniquely designed adaptation of
regular socks used to alleviate minor foot problems. Foot Alignment
Socks differ from traditional socks in that there is no covered toe
assembly. Instead the socks have four separators which fit in
between the toes. They are cylindrical and sturdy yet soft and
yielding as they are constructed from the same fabric as the body
of the sock. The separators stretch and align toes into proper
position in respect to the rest of the foot. This toe alignment
counters the harmful effects of daily foot compression and stress
caused by tight and ill-fitting shoes as well as relieving foot
pain from excess walking, standing, jogging, or strenuous sports
and activities. With consistent use Foot Alignment Socks soothe and
straighten crooked and deformed toes. They are ideal as an
over-night foot maintenance treatment.
Inventors: |
Nemcik; Eva; (Kirtland,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROETZEL & ANDRESS
1375 EAST 9TH STREET
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20090178178 A1 |
July 16, 2009 |
|
|
Family ID: |
40849357 |
Appl. No.: |
11/900041 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60843952 |
Sep 12, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/239 ;
482/79 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/019 20130101;
A41B 2400/32 20130101; A41B 11/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/239 ;
482/79 |
International
Class: |
A43B 17/00 20060101
A43B017/00; A63B 23/10 20060101 A63B023/10 |
Claims
1. The socks adapted for toe alignment consist of regular looking
socks with no covered toe assembly. Instead of toe covers there are
toe separators extending across the open front end from a top of
the sock, to a bottom or sole of the sock. This provides 5 openings
for individual toes to be stretched through the openings. The
separators are of different thickness and length, depends of their
position. The longest and thickest are the one following the big
toe. The separators are placed in between toes to support the
stretching and aligning action of toes.
2. The socks assembly is made of a natural, plastic or synthetic
fiber. Said separators of various extensions from the top end to
the sole of the socks and various diameters are made of the same or
similar material as the socks body.
3. Because the variation in thickness and length of the separators
the socks are not interchangeable left for right and vise a versa.
The socks body is embroidered with different text to recognize
right sock from left sock.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0004] Variety of devises for stretching, aligning and separating
toes are known in prior art.
[0005] U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,131,939 B2, 7,107,626 B1
[0006] Prior art devices are mostly for Yoga or they are exercise
tools, which follows the same idea to align, separate and stretch
the toes.
[0007] Several tools for toe alignment and separation are recently
on the market. Heretofore devices are all designed to address one
specific foot problem. They are either plastic braces, elastic
loops with foam pad bottoms, individual foam toe cushions or
individual toe caps. They are effective and truthful to their
claims, but they are very user unfriendly, difficult to apply or
keep them on.
[0008] None of the Prior Art devices provide comfortable soothing
and relaxed feeling as the present invention while mounted on
users' feet. The present invention not only that helps relive foot
pain from different foot discomforts, but also conditions feet to
prevent foot problems to occur due to daily foot overuse and daily
foot stress. It will maintain and support proper foot health.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is directed to socks, namely to Foot
Alignment Socks, which are meant to be worn after being on feet all
day long. These socks have 4 toe separators from the material of
the sock which forms 5 openings for toes to be stretches out. These
separators have a function to apply gentle pressure on misaligned
toes and position them into proper alignment with rest of the foot
into position where nature intended them to be. Proper foot
alignment helps to eliminate numerous foot, knee and hip
problems.
[0010] Toe separators are soft on touch, but sturdy inside to
provide user friendly and easy application which accommodates
longer wearing period which can be as long as overnight. Longer
term wearing increases effectiveness of the invention.
[0011] Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a
continuing need for a new and improved foot alignment device that
is easier to mount, keep on and take off. In this regard, the
present invention substantially fulfills the need for
user-friendlier device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1. is a top side view of a right foot of a user wearing
sock constructed according to the teachings of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2. is a front overhead view of the sock shown in FIG. 1
but without the foot of the user and showing four separators in
place.
[0014] FIG. 3. Is a detail top front view on the right sock mounted
on user's foot.
[0015] FIG. 4. is a top front view of the right and left alignment
socks mounted on user's feet.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Referring now to the drawings in greater detail there is
shown in FIG. 1 a right foot of a user of a sock 12 which is
constructed according to the teachings of the present invention and
which is mounted on the foot 10.
[0017] In this embodiment, the sock 12 has a short ankle bend 14
and is made material of choice such as cotton, acrylic cashmere,
nylon, Lycra and spandex blend. It is to be noted that selection of
materials has no effect on intention of this invention.
[0018] FIG. 1. Is showing the users right foot 10, mounted on sock
12 where toes 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 are separated by separators
21, 22, 23, and 24.
[0019] FIG. 2. illustrates the front end of the sock body 20 which
has five openings 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55 created by separators 21,
22, 23 and 24 extended from the top 25 of the sock to the sole of
the sock 26. The toes of the user, when socks are mounted, extend
through openings 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55 to achieve claimed feature
of the invention.
[0020] The separators 21, 22, 23 and 24 of circular cross-section
are of the same or similar material as the sock 12. The diameters
and lengths of separators varies according the locations of
separators on the sock.
[0021] Separator 21 is extending 25 MM from the end 20 of the sock
12. The separator 21 diameter is 12.5 (+2/-2) MM.
[0022] The separator 22 is extending 30 MM from the end 20 of the
sock 12. The separator 22 diameter is 12.5 (+2/-2) MM.
[0023] The separator 23 is extending 30 MM from the end 20 of the
sock 12. The separator 23 diameter is 12.5 (+2/-2) MM.
[0024] The separator 24 is extending 35 MM from the end 20 of the
sock 12. The separator 24 diameter is 15 (+2/-2) MM.
[0025] FIG. 3. is showing detail positions of mounted toes
31,32,33,34 and 35, versus separators 21, 22, 23 and 24. Separator
21 is separating small toe 31 from the fourth toe 32. Separator 22
is separating the fourth toe 32 from the third toe 33. Separator 23
is separating the third toe 33 from the second toe 34 and the
separator 24 is separating the second toe 34 from the big toe
35.
[0026] FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the right foot sock.
[0027] FIG. 4 shows location of separators on the right sock 12 and
left sock 13. The left foot sock 13 is a mirror image of the right
foot sock 12 to accommodate left foot configuration. The right and
left sock is recognizable by different embroidery 41 and 42 on the
top of each sock. This way it is easy to recognize and mount on the
right and the left foot.
[0028] The Foot Alignment Socks 12 and 13 of present invention has
advantages over the current systems of plastic molded devices.
These advantages are that the socks are easily mounted; stay on
foot and after short period of training may be worn overnight which
increases effectiveness of the device. The socks are washable and
therefore useable for extended period. The result of the usage is
foot stress relief and pain relief due to the minor foot
misalignment. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is
only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.
* * * * *